Марія Бровінська Useful Guidelines 7 July 2026, 13:06

Your photos and voice queries can train Google's AI. How to check your settings

Google has started using uploaded photos, audio, and files to train AI. The feature is enabled by default.

What has changed?

In June, Google notified users via email about new Search Services History and Personalized Recommendations settings.

The company can now store not only search history, but also media files that users upload or create while using Google search services. According to the company, this data is used to develop and improve services, including artificial intelligence models and security systems.

The new rules apply not only to Google Search, but also to the company’s other services, including:

Google Maps;
Google Shopping;
Google Flights;
Google Hotels;
Google Translate;
Google News.

What data can be used?

For example:

photos uploaded via Google Lens;
voice queries in Google Search;
audio recorded while using Google Translate features;
other media files that users add to Google search services.

In its reference materials, Google notes that service usage history and saved media files can be used to train generative AI models, as well as to improve service performance and protect users.

How to turn off data usage for AI

Users can change settings in the Search Services History section.

There you can disable saving media files (Save Media); completely disable Search Services History; configure automatic deletion of data after 3, 18 or 36 months.

Google also recommends checking other privacy settings, including Web & App Activity, Timeline, and YouTube History .

What else is worth knowing?

Before the update, search history was controlled through the Web & App Activity settings. Now, search service data has been moved to a separate section, which is active by default.

This means that even if a user has previously restricted history storage in Web & App Activity, the new settings for search services must be checked separately.